Airbag deployment system for a fabric wrapped vehicle interior panel

ABSTRACT

An airbag deployment system is provided that includes a support structure, and a fabric material configured to form a show surface of a vehicle interior panel. A first portion of the fabric material is coupled to the support structure by a rigid connection, a second portion of the fabric material is coupled to the support structure by a detachable connection, and the detachable connection is configured to release the second portion of the fabric material from the support structure upon contact between an airbag and the fabric material.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims priority from and the benefit of U.S.Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/430,746, entitled “AIRBAG DEPLOYMENTSYSTEM FOR A FABRIC WRAPPED VEHICLE INTERIOR PANEL”, filed Jan. 7, 2011,which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

The invention relates generally to an airbag deployment system for afabric wrapped vehicle interior panel.

Airbags may be positioned throughout a vehicle interior to substantiallyreduce the possibility of passenger contact with an interior surfaceduring a high g-force event (e.g., rapid acceleration/decelerationassociated with a vehicle impact). For example, an airbag may bepositioned behind a portion of the instrument panel adjacent to a frontpassenger. During a high g-force event, the airbag will deploy, therebyreducing the possibility of contact between the front passenger and theinstrument panel.

Typical instrument panels include an airbag door positioned adjacent tothe front passenger and configured to enable the airbag to deploy. Forexample, if the instrument panel is composed of a soft plastic material(e.g., vinyl), the airbag door may include scored regions configured totear as the airbag deploys. Such a configuration may provide a durableinstrument panel, while facilitating airbag deployment. Further vehicleinteriors include an instrument panel having a fabric (e.g., woven ornon-woven) show surface adjacent to the front passenger. Unfortunately,providing an airbag door in such a fabric show surface may provide anundesirable appearance.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an airbag deployment system including asupport structure, and a fabric material configured to form a showsurface of a vehicle interior panel. A first portion of the fabricmaterial is coupled to the support structure by a rigid connection, asecond portion of the fabric material is coupled to the supportstructure by a detachable connection, and the detachable connection isconfigured to release the second portion of the fabric material from thesupport structure upon contact between an airbag and the fabricmaterial.

The present invention also relates to an airbag deployment systemincluding a support structure, and a fabric material configured to forma show surface of a vehicle interior panel. A first portion of thefabric material is rigidly coupled to a first portion of the supportstructure. The airbag deployment system also includes a facing rigidlycoupled to a second portion of the support structure, and a threadconfigured to detachably secure the facing to a second portion of thefabric material. The thread is configured to break upon contact betweenan airbag and the fabric material.

The present invention further relates to an airbag deployment systemincluding a substrate, a frame, and a fabric material configured to forma show surface of a vehicle interior panel. A first portion of thefabric material is compressed between the substrate and the frame toform a rigid connection, a second portion of the fabric material iscompressed between the substrate and the frame via a release mechanismto form a detachable connection, and the release mechanism is configuredto release the second portion of the fabric material from the substrateand the frame upon contact between an airbag and the fabric material.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary vehicle that may include afabric wrapped interior panel having an airbag deployment system.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a part of the interior of the vehicle ofFIG. 1.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an embodiment of a fabric wrapped interiorpanel that may be employed within the vehicle of FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a detachableconnection between fabric material and a support structure.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a detachableconnection between fabric material and a support structure.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of a detachableconnection between fabric material and a support structure.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of adetachable connection between fabric material and a support structure.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a fabric wrappedinterior panel having a detachable connection between fabric materialand a support structure.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the detachable connection shown inFIG. 8.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an exemplary instrument panel coverhaving a low elongation material.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a detachableconnection between fabric material and a support structure.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of adetachable connection between fabric material and a support structure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary vehicle 10 that may includea fabric wrapped interior panel having an airbag deployment system. Asillustrated, the vehicle 10 includes an interior 12 having a seat 14, anarmrest 16, a center console 18, and an instrument panel 20. Asdiscussed in detail below, the instrument panel 20 may include a showsurface formed from a fabric material. As a result, airbag doors, suchas those employed in instrument panels having a soft plastic (e.g.,vinyl) show surface, may provide an undesirable appearance. Therefore,the fabric material of the illustrated instrument panel 20 may beconfigured to partially separate from a support structure to facilitatedeployment of an airbag. For example, a first portion of the fabricmaterial may be coupled to the support structure by a rigid connection,and a second portion of the fabric material may be coupled to thesupport structure by a detachable connection. In such a configuration,the detachable connection may be configured to release the secondportion of the fabric material from the support structure upon contactbetween an airbag and the fabric material. In this manner, the airbagmay contact a front passenger, thereby substantially reducing thepossibility of contact between the front passenger and the instrumentpanel 20 during a high g-force event.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a part of the interior 12 of the vehicle10 of FIG. 1. As illustrated, the vehicle interior 12 includes a fabricwrapped instrument panel 20 configured to provide a durable surfacewhile facilitating deployment of an airbag. As discussed in detailbelow, the fabric material forming the show surface of the instrumentpanel 20 is configured to partially separate from a support structure toenable the airbag to deploy during a high g-force event. While theairbag deployment system is described below with reference to theinstrument panel 20, it should be appreciated that the airbag deploymentsystem may be utilized for other fabric wrapped interior panels withinthe vehicle interior 12. For example, the illustrated interior 12includes a floor console 22 having a tambour door 24. In certainembodiments, the floor console 22 may include fabric wrapped panelsconfigured to facilitate airbag deployment. In addition, the illustratedinterior 12 includes a fabric wrapped door panel 26 that may include anairbag deployment system.

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of an embodiment of a fabric wrapped interiorpanel that may be employed within the vehicle 10 of FIG. 1. Asillustrated, the fabric wrapped instrument panel 20 includes a cover 28and a support structure 30. As discussed in detail below, the cover 28is coupled to the support structure 30 to form a durable instrumentpanel 20, while facilitating airbag deployment. In the illustratedembodiment, the support structure 30 includes a substrate 32 having achute 34. The chute 34 is configured to enable an airbag positionedbehind the rear surface of the substrate 32 to expand toward the frontpassenger. As the airbag expands, a portion of the cover 28 will detachfrom the support structure 30, thereby facilitating contact between theairbag and the front passenger.

In the illustrated embodiment, the support structure 30 also includes aframe 36 configured to facilitate coupling between the cover 28 and thesubstrate 32. The frame 36 includes multiple studs 38 configured toengage corresponding holes 40 within the substrate 32. Once the studs 38have been inserted within the holes 40, the frame 36 may be secured tothe substrate 32 via a heat staking process. In certain embodiments, thestuds 38 may be composed of a thermoplastic material (e.g., polyvinylchloride, polyethylene, polycarbonate, etc.) that soften uponapplication of heat. In such embodiments, the studs 38 may be heated anddeformed to form a head that mechanically locks the frame 36 to thesubstrate 32. While six studs 38 and holes 40 are included in theillustrated embodiment, it should be appreciated that more or fewerstuds 38 and holes 40 may be employed within alternative embodiments.For example, certain embodiments may include 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16,18, 20, or more studs 38 and a corresponding number of holes 40.Furthermore, while the frame 36 is secured to the substrate 32 via aheat staking process in the illustrated embodiment, it should beappreciated that alternative embodiments may utilize other connectionmechanisms, such as mechanical fasteners or adhesives, for example. Theillustrated embodiment also includes multiple pinch trims 42 positionedbetween the frame 36 and the substrate 32. As illustrated, the pinchtrims 42 includes holes 44 configured to facilitate passage of the studs38 into the holes 40. As discussed in detail below, the pinch trims 42are configured to compress an edge of the cover 28 against the frame 36,thereby securing the cover 28 to the support structure 30.

In the illustrated embodiment, the cover 28 includes a fabric material46 and a facing 48 coupled to one another via a detachable connection50. The fabric material 46 is configured to form a show surface of theinstrument panel 20, and may be composed of a woven or non-woven fabric,for example. In certain embodiments, the facing 48 may be composed ofthe same woven or non-woven fabric as the fabric material 46.Alternatively, the facing 48 may be composed of a low elongationmaterial (e.g., nylon fabric) to facilitate energy transfer to thedetachable connection 50. As discussed in detail below, the detachableconnection 50 may include a thread configured to break upon airbagdeployment, or a hook-and-loop fastener configured to separate uponairbag deployment. As illustrated, the detachable connection 50 extendsabout a portion of the perimeter of the cover 28. Consequently, when thefabric material 46 and the facing 48 are rigidly secured to the supportstructure 30, deployment of the airbag will induce the fabric material46 to separate from the facing 48 along the detachable connection 50. Asa result, the airbag may contact the front passenger, therebysubstantially reducing the possibility of contact between the frontpassenger and the instrument panel 20 during a high g-force event.

In the illustrated embodiment, the fabric material 46 and the facing 48are secured to the support structure 30 via compression between theframe 36 and the pinch trims 42. However, it should be appreciated thatalternative embodiments may utilize other rigid connections, such asmechanical fasteners or adhesives, for example. Furthermore, while adetachable connection between the fabric material 46 and the facing 48is employed in the illustrated embodiment to facilitate separation of aportion of the cover 28 from the support structure 30, it should beappreciated that alternative detachable connections between the cover 28and the support structure 30 (e.g., clips, gaskets, teeth, etc.) may beutilized in alternative embodiments. Moreover, while the illustratedwrapped instrument panel 20 is rectangular, it should be appreciatedthat alternative embodiments may include instrument panels 20 havedifferent shapes. For example, the instrument panel 20 may beparticularly shaped to match the contours of other elements of thevehicle interior 12, thereby providing a desired appearance.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a detachableconnection between the fabric material 46 and the support structure. Asillustrated, an edge of the instrument panel cover 28 wraps around theframe 36 and is compressed between the pinch trim 42 and the frame 36.For example, to secure the cover 28 to the support structure 30, eachedge of the cover 28 is wrapped around the frame 36, the pinch trims 42are positioned adjacent to the edges, and the frame 36 is secured to thesubstrate 32 via a heat staking process. As illustrated, the edge of thecover 28 having the facing 48 is compressed between the frame 36 and thepinch trim 42. Consequently, during airbag deployment, the fabricmaterial 46 will separate from the facing 48 along the detachableconnection 50, thereby facilitating contact between the airbag and thefront passenger. In addition, because an edge of the fabric material 46is rigidly coupled to the support structure in a similar manner, thefabric material 46 will remain attached to the support structure 30after the airbag deploys.

As previously discussed, the detachable connection 50 may include athread or a hook-and-loop type coupling. If a thread is employed,contact between the airbag and the fabric material 46 will pull thefabric material 46 away from the facing 48, thereby inducing the threadto break. As a result, a portion of the fabric material 46 will separatefrom the support structure 30, thereby facilitating airbag deployment.Similarly, if a hook-and-loop type coupling is employed, contact betweenthe airbag and the fabric material 46 will pull the fabric material 46away from the facing 48, thereby inducing the hook-and-loop coupling toseparate. While a thread and hook-and-loop type coupling are describedabove, it should be appreciated that other detachable connections (e.g.,adhesives, mechanical fasteners, etc.) may be employed in alternativeembodiments. Furthermore, while the illustrated embodiment includes apinch trim 42 positioned between the cover 28 and the substrate 32, itshould be appreciated that alternative embodiments may compress thecover 28 directly between the frame 36 and the substrate 32, therebyobviating the pinch trim 42.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a detachableconnection between the fabric material 46 and the support structure 30.As illustrated, the frame 36 includes a groove 52 configured to receivean edge of the fabric material 46. A gasket 54 (e.g., rubber, plastic,etc.) is disposed within the groove 52 to detachably secure the edge ofthe fabric material 46 to the frame 36. In this configuration, contactbetween the airbag and the fabric material 46 will pull the fabricmaterial 46 away from the frame 36, thereby releasing the gasket 54 fromthe groove 52. As a result, a portion of the fabric material 46 willseparate from the support structure 30, thereby facilitating airbagdeployment. Because the fabric material 46 is directly coupled to theframe 36, the facing 48 discussed above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4may be obviated. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that a portion ofthe fabric material 46 is rigidly coupled to the frame 36 and/or thesubstrate 32 such that the cover 28 does not completely separate fromthe support structure 30.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of a detachableconnection (e.g., release mechanism) between the fabric material 46 andthe support structure 30. As illustrated, the frame 36 includes multipleteeth 56 configured to detachably secure an edge of the fabric material46 to the support structure 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the edgeof the fabric material 46 is compressed between the teeth 56 of theframe 36 and the substrate 32. Consequently, the fabric material 46 willbe detachably secured to the support structure 30 via friction betweenthe teeth 56 and the fabric material 46. However, contact between theairbag and the fabric material 46 will pull the fabric material 46 awayfrom the frame 36, thereby disengaging the fabric material 46 from theteeth 56. As a result, a portion of the fabric material 46 will separatefrom the support structure 30, thereby facilitating airbag deployment.Because the fabric material 46 is directly coupled to the frame 36, thefacing 48 discussed above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 may beobviated. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that a portion of thefabric material 46 is rigidly coupled to the frame 36 and/or thesubstrate 32 such that the cover 28 does not completely separate fromthe support structure 30. While the illustrated embodiment includesteeth 56 coupled to the frame 36, it should be appreciated thatalternative embodiments may include teeth coupled to the substrate 32,either alone or in combination with the frame teeth.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of yet another embodiment of adetachable connection between the fabric material 46 and the supportstructure 30. As illustrated, the substrate 32 includes a clip 58configured to detachably secure an edge of the fabric material 46 to thesupport structure 30. In the illustrated embodiment, the edge of thefabric material 46 is compressed between opposing elements of the clip58, thereby detachably securing the fabric material 46 to the substrate32. In this configuration, contact between the airbag and the fabricmaterial 46 will pull the fabric material 46 away from the substrate 32,thereby disengaging the fabric material 46 from the clip 58. As aresult, a portion of the fabric material 46 will separate from thesupport structure 30, thereby facilitating airbag deployment. Becausethe fabric material 46 is directly coupled to the substrate 32, thefacing 48 discussed above with reference to FIGS. 3 and 4 may beobviated. Furthermore, it should be appreciated that a portion of thefabric material 46 is rigidly coupled to the frame 36 and/or thesubstrate 32 such that the cover 28 does not completely separate fromthe support structure 30. While the illustrated embodiment includes aclip 58 coupled to the substrate 32, it should be appreciated thatalternative embodiments may include a clip 58 coupled to the frame 36.In addition, it should be appreciated that multiple clips 58 may bepositioned along the perimeter of the cover 28 to detachably couple thefabric material 46 to the support structure 30.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a fabric wrappedinterior panel having a detachable connection between the fabricmaterial and the support structure. As illustrated, the fabric wrappedinstrument panel 20 includes a lower substrate 60, an upper substrate 62and a cover 28 extending between the substrates. In the illustratedembodiment, an upper edge of the fabric material 46 is rigidly securedto the upper substrate 62 via compression between the frame 36 and theupper substrate 62. In addition, a lower edge of the fabric material 46is detachably coupled to the lower substrate 60 via a release mechanism.As discussed in detail below, the frame 36 and the lower substrate 60each include a layer of reclosable fastening material configured tointerlock through openings 64 within the fabric material 46. In thisconfiguration, airbag deployment will induce the lower edge of thefabric material 46 to separate the layers of reclosable fasteningmaterial, thereby facilitating detachment of the lower edge of thefabric material 46 from the lower substrate 60.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the detachable connection shown inFIG. 8. As illustrated, the lower substrate 60 includes a first layer ofreclosable fastening material 66, and the frame 36 includes a secondlayer of reclosable fastening material 66. The first layer of reclosablefastening material and the second layer of reclosable fastening materialare configured to engage one another through the opening 64, therebydetachably securing the fabric material 46 to the lower substrate 60. Inthis configuration, contact between the airbag and the fabric material46 will pull the fabric material 46 away from the lower substrate 60,thereby separating the layers of reclosable fastening material 66. As aresult, a portion of the fabric material 46 will separate from the lowersubstrate 60. Because the upper edge of the fabric material 46 isrigidly coupled to the upper substrate, the cover 28 will not completelyseparate from the support structure. As will be appreciated, the size ofeach opening 64, the number of openings 64 and the properties of thereclosable fastening material may be particularly adjusted to achieve adesired detachment force, thereby facilitating airbag deployment.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an exemplary instrument panel cover 28having a low elongation material. In the illustrated embodiment, thedetachable connection 50 is a thread configured to detachably couple thefabric material 46 to the facing 48. As illustrated, a first edge of thelow elongation material 68 (e.g., nylon fabric) is detachably coupled toa first edge of the fabric material 46 by the thread. In addition, asecond edge of the low elongation material 68 and a second edge of thefabric material 46 are rigidly coupled to the support structure 30. Inthis configuration, the low elongation material 68 is configured todirect energy associated with airbag deployment (e.g., along thedirection 70) to the thread, thereby facilitating thread breakage. As aresult, the low elongation material may substantially reduce oreliminate the possibility of tears forming within the fabric material 46during airbag deployment.

FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a detachableconnection between the fabric material 46 and the support structure 30.In the illustrated embodiment, a hook 72 is employed to secure the cover28 to the frame 36 of the support structure 30. As illustrated, the hook72 includes a recess 74 configured to interface with a protrusion 76 ofthe frame 36, thereby securing the cover 28 to the frame 36. Forexample, in certain embodiments, the facing 48 is secured to the hook 72(e.g., via a sewn connection), and the fabric material 46 is secured tothe facing 48 by the detachable connection 50. Accordingly, theinstrument panel 20 may be formed by attaching a first hook 72 to afirst side of the frame 36, drawing the cover 28 over the frame 36, andattaching a second hook 72 to a second side of the frame 36. In thisconfiguration, during airbag deployment, the fabric material 46 willseparate from the facing 48 along the detachable connection 50, therebyfacilitating contact between the airbag and the front passenger. Itshould be appreciated that a portion of the fabric material 46 isrigidly coupled to the facing 48 (e.g., via a thick/strong thread) suchthat the cover 28 does not completely separate from the supportstructure 30 during airbag deployment. In certain embodiments, the hook72 may be composed of extruded polypropylene, or another suitablepolymer. In addition, the cover 28 may include multiple hooks 72extending along a substantial portion of each side of the cover 28. Insuch a configuration, a durable connection between the cover 28 and thesupport structure 30 is established when the hooks 72 are engaged withthe frame 36.

In the illustrated embodiment, the frame 36 includes an extension 78configured to provide a gap between the fabric material 46 and a body ofthe frame 36. In this configuration, contact between the fabric material46 and the frame 36 is limited to desired regions of the instrumentpanel 20. For example, the extension 78 may extend about a perimeter ofthe frame 36, thereby limiting contact between the fabric layer 46 andthe frame 36 to the periphery of the instrument panel 20. As a result,the show surface of the instrument panel 20 may be substantially smooth,thereby enhancing the appearance of the vehicle interior 12.

FIG. 12 is a cross-sectional view of a further embodiment of adetachable connection between the fabric material 46 and the supportstructure 30. Similar to the embodiment described above with referenceto FIG. 11, a hook 80 is employed to secure the cover 28 to the frame 36of the support structure 30. As illustrated, the hook 80 includes afirst recess 82 configured to interface with a first protrusion 84 ofthe frame 36, and a second recess 86 configured to interface with asecond protrusion 88 of the frame 36. Consequently, when the hook 80 isengaged with the protrusions 84 and 88, movement of the cover 28relative to the frame 36 is substantially blocked. Because the hook 80utilizes multiple recesses 82 and 86, the hook 80 may accommodategreater loads than the single-recess hook 72 described above withreference to FIG. 11. In certain embodiments, the hook 80 may becomposed of extruded polypropylene, or another suitable polymer. Inaddition, the cover 28 may include multiple hooks 80 extending along asubstantial portion of each side of the cover 28. In such aconfiguration, a durable connection between the cover 28 and the supportstructure 30 is established when the hooks 80 are engaged with the frame36.

In certain embodiments, the instrument panel 20 may include additionalfeatures configured to enhance the appearance and/or add functionalityto the vehicle interior 12. For example, speakers may be positionedbehind the cover 28 to enhance the audio performance of the vehicle,and/or to provide a clean interior appearance. As will be appreciated,the fabric material 46 of the cover 28 may facilitate passage ofacoustical energy from the speakers to the vehicle interior.Consequently, the speakers may be concealed within the instrument panel20, thereby obviating separate speaker enclosures, and enhancing thevisual appearance of the vehicle interior. In addition, other electronicdevices, such as sensors (e.g., capacitive switches, etc.) or radiofrequency identification tags (e.g., for paying tolls, etc.), may beconcealed behind the cover 28, thereby further enhancing the appearanceof the vehicle interior 12.

In addition, the support structure 30 may include ribs configured topress against the fabric material 46, thereby establishing a desiredpattern within the cover 28. Furthermore, patterns (e.g., logos,stitching, printing, etc.) may be coupled to the show surface or therear surface of the fabric material 46 to further enhance the appearanceof the instrument panel 20. For example, a rigid form may be coupled tothe rear surface of the fabric material, and configured to press againstthe fabric material to establish a desired pattern in the show surface.The weave pattern of the fabric material 46 may also be particularlyselected to provide a desired appearance and/or to reduce the glareassociated with light reflecting off the instrument panel 20. Moreover,a coating may be applied to the fabric material 46 to provide a desiredappearance, to block ultraviolet radiation, to enhance acousticaldamping, and/or to provide a desired tactile feel.

In further embodiments, a lighting system may be positioned behind thefabric material 46 to establish ambient lighting within the vehicleinterior 12. For example, an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs) maybe distributed across the rear surface of the fabric material. In such aconfiguration, the fabric material 46 may scatter the light from the LEDarray, thereby providing diffuse lighting to the vehicle interior 12. Inaddition, a heating element may be positioned behind the fabric material46 to facilitating vehicle interior heating during cold ambientconditions. In certain embodiments, the fabric material 46 may beconfigured to facilitate heat transfer through the cover 28.Accordingly, the heating element may efficiently and quickly increasethe temperature of the vehicle interior to facilitate passenger comfort.

In certain embodiments, foam may be positioned behind the fabricmaterial 46 to enhance the appearance of the instrument panel 20, and/orto provide additional occupant safety. For example, foam pads may becoupled to the rear surface of the fabric material 46 adjacent to thesupport structure 30 to absorb energy associated with an impact. Inaddition, foam pads and/or spray foam may be applied to the rear surfaceof the fabric material 46 to provide a desirable appearance, and/or toestablish a desired haptic feel. For example, foam may be wrappedbetween the support structure 30 and the fabric material 46 to changethe appearance of the show surface. The foam may also be configured toabsorb sound energy, thereby reducing vehicle interior noise. Forexample, foam anechoic cones may be positioned behind the fabricmaterial 46 to absorb sound energy associated with vehicle operation.

Furthermore, the fabric material 46 may be configured to receive ahook-and-loop fastener, thereby enabling an occupant to mount devices tothe instrument panel 20. For example, pockets including a hook-and-loopfastener may be secured to the fabric material 46 to provide additionalstorage. In further embodiments, a pocket may be rigidly coupled to thefabric material 46 to accommodate storage of portable electronicdevices, maps, coins, etc. The fabric material 46 may also include seamsconfigured to break upon contact with the airbag, thereby directing thefabric material 46 away from the airbag during deployment.

While only certain features and embodiments of the invention have beenillustrated and described, many modifications and changes may occur tothose skilled in the art (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions,structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values ofparameters (e.g., temperatures, pressures, etc.), mounting arrangements,use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materiallydeparting from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matterrecited in the claims. The order or sequence of any process or methodsteps may be varied or re-sequenced according to alternativeembodiments. It is, therefore, to be understood that the appended claimsare intended to cover all such modifications and changes as fall withinthe true spirit of the invention. Furthermore, in an effort to provide aconcise description of the exemplary embodiments, all features of anactual implementation may not have been described (i.e., those unrelatedto the presently contemplated best mode of carrying out the invention,or those unrelated to enabling the claimed invention). It should beappreciated that in the development of any such actual implementation,as in any engineering or design project, numerous implementationspecific decisions may be made. Such a development effort might becomplex and time consuming, but would nevertheless be a routineundertaking of design, fabrication, and manufacture for those ofordinary skill having the benefit of this disclosure, without undueexperimentation.

1. An airbag deployment system, comprising: a support structure; and afabric material configured to form a show surface of a vehicle interiorpanel, wherein a first portion of the fabric material is coupled to thesupport structure by a rigid connection, a second portion of the fabricmaterial is coupled to the support structure by a detachable connection,and the detachable connection is configured to release the secondportion of the fabric material from the support structure upon contactbetween an airbag and the fabric material.
 2. The airbag deploymentsystem of claim 1, wherein the detachable connection comprises: a facingrigidly coupled to the support structure; and a thread configured todetachably secure the facing to the second portion of the fabricmaterial, wherein the thread is configured to break upon contact betweenthe airbag and the fabric material.
 3. The airbag deployment system ofclaim 1, wherein the detachable connection comprises: a facing rigidlycoupled to the support structure; and a hook-and-loop fastenerconfigured to detachably secure the facing to the second portion of thefabric material, wherein the hook-and-loop fastener is configured toseparate upon contact between the airbag and the fabric material.
 4. Theairbag deployment system of claim 1, wherein the detachable connectioncomprises a gasket configured to detachably secure an edge of the secondportion of the fabric material into a groove of the support structure,and the gasket is configured to release from the groove upon contactbetween the airbag and the fabric material.
 5. The airbag deploymentsystem of claim 1, wherein the detachable connection comprises aplurality of teeth coupled to the support structure and configured todetachably secure an edge of the second portion of the fabric materialto the support structure, wherein the plurality of teeth is configuredto release the second portion of the fabric material upon contactbetween the airbag and the fabric material.
 6. The airbag deploymentsystem of claim 1, wherein the detachable connection comprises a clipcoupled to the support structure and configured to detachably secure anedge of the second portion of the fabric material to the supportstructure, wherein the clip is configured to release the second portionof the fabric material upon contact between the airbag and the fabricmaterial.
 7. The airbag deployment system of claim 1, wherein thesupport structure comprises a substrate and a frame, and the firstportion of the fabric material is compressed between the substrate andthe frame to form the rigid connection.
 8. The airbag deployment systemof claim 7, wherein the detachable connection comprises: a first layerof reclosable fastening material secured to the substrate; a secondlayer of reclosable fastening material secured to the frame; and aplurality of openings along an edge of the second portion of the fabricmaterial; wherein the first layer of reclosable fastening material andthe second layer of reclosable fastening material are configured toengage one another through the openings, and to disengage upon contactbetween the airbag and the fabric material.
 9. The airbag deploymentsystem of claim 7, comprising a pinch trim positioned between thesubstrate and the fabric material.
 10. The airbag deployment system ofclaim 1, comprising a low elongation material rigidly coupled to thesupport structure adjacent to the first portion of the fabric material,and detachably coupled to an edge of the second portion of the fabricmaterial by the detachable connection, wherein the low elongationmaterial is configured to direct energy associated with airbagdeployment to the detachable connection.
 11. An airbag deploymentsystem, comprising: a support structure; a fabric material configured toform a show surface of a vehicle interior panel, wherein a first portionof the fabric material is rigidly coupled to a first portion of thesupport structure; a facing rigidly coupled to a second portion of thesupport structure; and a thread configured to detachably secure thefacing to a second portion of the fabric material, wherein the thread isconfigured to break upon contact between an airbag and the fabricmaterial.
 12. The airbag deployment system of claim 11, wherein thesupport structure comprises a substrate and a frame, the first portionof the fabric material is rigidly coupled to the first portion of thesupport structure via compression between the substrate and the frame,and the facing is rigidly coupled to the second portion of the supportstructure via compression between the substrate and the frame.
 13. Theairbag deployment system of claim 12, wherein the frame comprises aplurality of studs configured to engage a plurality of holes within thesubstrate, and the frame is configured to secure to the substrate viaheat staking the studs.
 14. The airbag deployment system of claim 11,wherein the facing comprises a low elongation material.
 15. The airbagdeployment system of claim 11, comprising a low elongation materialrigidly coupled to the first portion of the support structure, anddetachably coupled to an edge of the second portion of the fabricmaterial by the thread, wherein the low elongation material isconfigured to direct energy associated with airbag deployment to thethread.
 16. The airbag deployment system of claim 11, wherein the facingis rigidly coupled to the second portion of the support structure via ahook having a recess configured to engage a protrusion of the supportstructure.
 17. An airbag deployment system, comprising: a substrate; aframe; and a fabric material configured to form a show surface of avehicle interior panel, wherein a first portion of the fabric materialis compressed between the substrate and the frame to form a rigidconnection, a second portion of the fabric material is compressedbetween the substrate and the frame via a release mechanism to form adetachable connection, and the release mechanism is configured torelease the second portion of the fabric material from the substrate andthe frame upon contact between an airbag and the fabric material. 18.The airbag deployment system of claim 17, wherein the release mechanismcomprises: a first layer of reclosable fastening material secured to thesubstrate; a second layer of reclosable fastening material secured tothe frame; and a plurality of openings along an edge of the secondportion of the fabric material; wherein the first layer of reclosablefastening material and the second layer of reclosable fastening materialare configured to engage one another through the openings, and todisengage upon contact between the airbag and the fabric material. 19.The airbag deployment system of claim 17, wherein the release mechanismcomprises a plurality of teeth coupled to the frame and configured todetachably secure an edge of the second portion of the fabric materialto the frame, wherein the plurality of teeth is configured to releasethe second portion of the fabric material upon contact between theairbag and the fabric material.
 20. The airbag deployment system ofclaim 17, wherein the substrate comprises an upper substrate and a lowersubstrate, the first portion of the fabric material is compressedbetween the upper substrate and the frame to form the rigid connection,and the second portion of the fabric material is compressed between thelower substrate and the frame via the release mechanism to form thedetachable connection.